In Memoriam: John (Jack) S. Spence, David J. Costabile

February 21, 2008

KANSAS CITY – John “Jack” S. Spence, 80, retired president of Faultless Laundry Co., Kansas City, Mo., died here Friday, Feb. 15.
Spence represented the third generation in the family business, working several years with his father, John B. Spence, and his grandmother, Cora Spence. He became president in 1962, marking a time in which he would start to aggressively grow the business for the next 30 years.
Spence graduated high school in Kansas City and served in the Navy during World War II. After his military service, he graduated from Regis College in Denver.
Spence made major contributions to the Linen Supply Association of America (LSAA), later renamed the Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA), including service as its president in 1971-73. He actively participated in LSAA/TRSA committees and often played host to visiting TRSA members.
TRSA recognized his service in 2004 by presenting him with the Textile Rental Member Achievement Award, its highest honor.
“Jack was the kind of person who could always see the road ahead and figure out how to get there,” TRSA President/CEO Roger Cocivera tells Textile Rental Weekly, a TRSA publication. “People admired him because he was a leader with vision.”
Surviving Spence are his wife, Kit, of 57 years; seven children; 21 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters.
Several of his children are active as the fourth generation to lead Faultless, including daughter Susan Witcher, who serves as president and CEO, and son Mark Spence, who is COO, according to TRSA.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Wednesday in Kansas City. Memorial contributions in Spence’s honor may be made to St. Francis Mission, P.O. Box 499, St. Francis, SD 57572, or St. Francis Xavier Church, 1001 E. 52nd St., Kansas City, MO 64110.

•••••

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. – David J. Costabile, vice president of marketing for laundry equipment dealer PAC Industries, Harrisburg, Pa., died at his home Feb. 7. He was 52.
“David Costabile will always be remembered as positive, passionate and genuinely committed: to his customers, his family (especially his son David) and his co-workers,” James Pellerin, president, Pellerin Milnor Corp., tells Textile Rental Weekly. “He seldom took ‘no’ for an answer, but was always a gentleman who thrived on building relationships on all levels.
“He was responsible for numerous successful automated laundry installations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New England in nearly three decades of service to our industry. His untimely passing leaves a void in our hearts.”
Costabile was an avid golfer and an accomplished high school and collegiate athlete. He competed in wrestling at the highest levels of state and national competitions and received several scholarship offers, choosing the University of Tampa. He later transferred to Bloomsburg University and ultimately received his baccalaureate degree from Penn State University in 1978.
Surviving him are his parents, his son, two sisters, four brothers and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 12 in Harrisburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Costabile’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To send condolences, visit www.hetrickfuneralhome.com.